In the 16th century, Malad consisted of a number of villages including Orlem (also known as Valnai), Kharodi, Rathodi, Malwani, Marve, Aksa, Madh and Chincholi. The other old settlements in Malad were villages occupied by the local SKP community, East Indian Community, Bhandaris and Kolis - who are recognized as the original native inhabitants of Mumbai, these communities are still living in Malad.[citation needed]
The Purav's and Pathare's from the SKP community are still living in Chincholi bunder and Malvani village area of Malad. The East Indian community along with Koli community is living in the Coastal areas.
One of the Oldest temple in Malad is Lord Hanuman temple situated in Malvani Village which is more than a century old constructed by Purav Family of Malvani Village in early 19th Century located in Purav lane, near Purav House.
Malvani village is known for its grand Hanuman jayanti festival and for various Lord Hanuman temples.
Harbadevi Temple which is a 12th Century temple is located in Madh Island, as per historical evidence and writings in the temple it was also attacked during World War II.
Ahead of Aksa Beach, is the hidden and relatively lesser known vital landmark, which is the Malad Fort a.k.a. Madh Fort. The fort overlooks the Arabian Sea and was captured by the Maratha Empire, from the Portuguese in 1739.[1] INS Hamla, a logistics and training establishment of the Indian navy is situated in Malad.[2]
The approximate population is approximately 946,000 with an additional day-time floating population of 100,000. Malad which in its entirety (East & West region) comes under the P-North ward which is the most populated ward in the city, according to the census 2011. The suburb has a large Rich and Upper Middle class Marathi population.
Hospitals
Thunga Hospital (Malad West)
Lifeline Hospital (Malad West)
Suchak Hospital (Malad East)
Ashoka Hospital (Malad East)
Sanjeevani Hospital (Malad East)
Balajee Hospital (Malad East)
S.K. Patil Mahanagarpalika General Hospital (Malad East)
MW DESAI Municipal Hospital ANC OPD (Malad East)
Zenith Hospital (Malad West)
Lotus Multispeciality Hospital (Malad West)
Surana Hospital and Research Centre (Orlem, Church, Malad West)
Sun Multispeciality Hospital
The Children's Hospital Mumbai (Kanchpada, Malad West)
Vivanta Multi Speciality Hospital (Sunder Nagar, Malad West)